What to look out for when buying a CL55 AMG?

[Ibs86]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum and hope to be a regular here once I purchase a CL55 Amg.

I am looking for one to buy with the supercharged engine so a 2003 or newer.

Does anyone know what bad things I should look out for when having a look at one.

Much appreciated.

Ibs

 

[Jitzz]

Hi Ibs,

I had the same dillema a few years ago when I was in the market for one....needless to say I bought one !!! - what a FANTASTIC CAR.

I have a CL55 Kompressor and the things I looked for, after a great deal of reading/ringing experts and lurking on this site, were:

Check the air suspension goes up and down evenly and there are no leaks on the struts themselves.
Check the history to ensure the right things have been done at the right time like plugs filters and brake fluid
Check the ABS pump to see its' been replaced - mine did (if not budget for £1k)
Check ALL the electrics work - there are a lot so have a play
Check the discs and pad have some life in them - discs are expensive
Then the usual stuff like wierd noises from engine and suspension

with regards to the running costs so far - Iv'e had to replace my alternator and drivers door handle (keyless didn't work) in the two years of ownership together with the usual servicing and consumables. Others may have spent a lot more or less.

I can't recommend these cars enough, nothing else comes close for me!!

Good luck

Jitzz

 

[V12]

In all honesty these cars are so complex and expensive to correct faults.
I would pay a reputable Indy to have a look over a potential purchase or at least get someone to do a star quick diag on it.

Generalising though :
-The drivetrain is very robust and shouldn't cause issues.
-The hydraulic ABC suspension can be extremely costly to put right.
-These are big heavy cars and can eat through suspension bushes.
-Electronics are vast and complex but most of them are quite robust.

My Father's car has around 35k miles under it's belt and apart from routine servicing/brakes/tyres it has had the passenger seat occupancy sensor replaced and that's it.

Luckily for you, most of the bits that are prone to failure are common parts shared between all W215 CLs, the parts specific to the AMG are tough and don't seem to fail.

 

[Ibs86]

Thanks Jitzz and V12 for the replies. All that info will be a great help when I start viewing some. Still waiting for the right one to pop up though.

 

[Ibs86]

If anyone else can add to the above lists please do tell.


Thanks

 

[bigmacplease]

From all I have read the above covers it.

 

[Jitzz]

Hi Ibs

No Problem...I guess it depends on your budget/specifications but you'd be suprised where some of these cars tend to pop ?!!?

Usual places like pistonheads/autotrader/ebay/E&Mart etc..also speak to dealers as they may know of a few - they are rare though

if you want to go really lairy and budget allows there is always the CL65 !!

let us know how you get on

Jitzz

 

[bigmacplease]

They are always on eBay! Check out items:

291010967040
331062553791
221311308963
261324698132
171161543873

There's some to have a look at

 

[bigmacplease]

171163789005
200981402649
350900889950
121164408290

 

[Ibs86]

Hi Ibs No Problem...I guess it depends on your budget/specifications but you'd be suprised where some of these cars tend to pop ?!!? Usual places like pistonheads/autotrader/ebay/E&Mart etc..also speak to dealers as they may know of a few - they are rare though if you want to go really lairy and budget allows there is always the CL65 !! let us know how you get on Jitzz

Just really looking for a good example. Got to be supercharged, have all the goodies and with fairly low mileage as I do tend to clock up the miles with my pleasure drives.

CL65 what am I crazy?? Haha as much as I would love to I don't think my pockets are deep enough for one of those. Especially with the fuel costs!
Atleast with the CL55 the fuel consumption will be near what I am getting now.

Will let you know how I get on.

Ibs

 

[Ibs86]

They are always on eBay! Check out items: 291010967040 331062553791 221311308963 261324698132 171161543873 There's some to have a look at

Cheers Bigmac having a look at some of these right now.

Ibs

 

[MPG]

I've just changed from the previous W140 shape CL to one of these, although I opted for the BiTurbo CL600 instead of the CL55. As stated by a number of previous posters, check the service history thoroughly, especially for evidence of repairs to the ABC system. Also check for corrosion. Not in the usual places around the front wings (they're plastic), but around the base of the rear screen pillars and around the sunroof. I believe the technical term for any bubbling you see in these aluminium panels is galvanic corrosion. Should you decide to look at the 600's, then also check to see if it's ever had new coil packs as these are far from cheap - remember that all of the W215 CL's are dual-spark.
That aside - push every single switch & button. It's a complex beasty and you want to make sure it all works.
Regarding toys, I'd recommend keyless Go and if you can find a late 04 onwards you'll get the newer sat nav. Still wide screen, but significantly enhanced. The newer one doesn't have a CD slot above the screen & has an OK button on the bottom right rather than a rotary knob.

 

[Ibs86]

I've just changed from the previous W140 shape CL to one of these, although I opted for the BiTurbo CL600 instead of the CL55. As stated by a number of previous posters, check the service history thoroughly, especially for evidence of repairs to the ABC system. Also check for corrosion. Not in the usual places around the front wings (they're plastic), but around the base of the rear screen pillars and around the sunroof. I believe the technical term for any bubbling you see in these aluminium panels is galvanic corrosion. Should you decide to look at the 600's, then also check to see if it's ever had new coil packs as these are far from cheap - remember that all of the W215 CL's are dual-spark. That aside - push every single switch & button. It's a complex beasty and you want to make sure it all works. Regarding toys, I'd recommend keyless Go and if you can find a late 04 onwards you'll get the newer sat nav. Still wide screen, but significantly enhanced. The newer one doesn't have a CD slot above the screen & has an OK button on the bottom right rather than a rotary knob.

Hey Bud,

What made you go for the CL600? I had not thought about one of those at all. Is it just the turbo instead of supercharged that is the difference?

 

[BernardB]

I too have just bought a W215 and opted for the CL600 rather than the CL55. The reason is that the 600 is by quite a long way the quietest of the class and I like quiet cars.

It's worth noting that if you buy a car that's less than ten years old and there's corrosion from the inside (as with the rear pillars) it will be covered by the MB antirust warranty, provided it has a main dealer service history.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Don't discount a V12 Bi-Turbo, they're 500bhp of flagship loveliness and a well regarded forum member is selling his low mileage example;

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-cars-sale/161082-v12-bi-turbo.html

 

[BernardB]

I noticed that one before I bought mine. Unfortunately the fact that it's silver ruled it out for me (why are so many Mercs silver?).

 

[paulbenz500]

I'm thinking of selling my cl500 to buy a cl55 amg or cl600 bi turbo pick nice one up for 8k upwards

Sent from my GT-I9505 using MBClub UK

 

[V12]

The 600 and 55k have completely different characters, they are chalk and cheese.

Make sure you know what you want from the car before you set your heart on either.

The 55k is loud and proud, slightly stiffer suspension and more supportive AMG seats.
600 bi turbo on the other hand...silent missile. Most comfortable car on the road and would leave pretty much anything else behind on a straight open stretch of road.

The 600 will have higher running costs than the 55k. Fuel consumption will be similar though.

I will always argue that the 600 bi turbo is the quicker of the 2 cars in a straight line even though on paper they are identical.

 

[MPG]

Hey Bud,

What made you go for the CL600? I had not thought about one of those at all. Is it just the turbo instead of supercharged that is the difference?

I would've looked at a decent example of either, although my preference was for a bi-turbo partly for no reason than I hadn't owned a V12 before, or a twin turbo - bit of a box ticking exercise really! On a more serious note, the V12 is quieter & smother. It's also quicker, with the US Car & Driver Magazine managing 0-60 in 4.2 rather than the oft quoted 4.8s. Both cars may have the same 500bhp, but the turbo has 590 lb ft as opposed to the 55's 519. Cosmetically, you won't get quad pipes on a 600 & if you like to change gear via wheel mounted buttons then a 600 isn't for you either (it wasn't even an option). You also don't get the AMG seats, although most will have the adjustable dynamic contour seats which I find hold me well enough.
As V12 says, running costs will be a little higher (especially if there's a problem with the coil packs or turbos) Fuel economy however is much of a muchness - I'm averaging around 17mpg.

 

[MPG]

Forgot to echo V12's earlier comment above.....the ABC suspension isn't set to be quite as firm on the 600 as the 55.(apparently the 55 with ABC in sport mode dials out 95% of body roll). Once again, depends how firm you like your ride & how many potholes your local council have kindly provided you with to spice up the journey home.